Tensions between the syndicates and the regime in power are becoming increasingly tense. Recently, sixteen trade unionists from the transport sector were arrested after a strike in the sector. Prior to this, the secretary-general of the Highways syndicate was arrested on 31 January 2023 after a strike by the company’s employees.
On 15 February, the UGTT’s national executive office issued a statement denouncing “the attempts to distort and demonise the trade union centre.” UGTT also denounced the arrests of trade unionists, saying they represent “an attack on trade union freedoms and a violation of rights and freedoms, international conventions, labour standards and the constitution.”
The statement recalled that the social movements organised so far denounced the government’s withdrawal from the agreement of 14 September 2022 on a 3.5% wage increase over the next three years. However, the government has settled for a small increase in the salaries of civil servants.
UGTT also denounced the gradual lifting of commodity subsidies (by 30%) introduced by the 2023 finance law and the blocking of social dialogue, particularly with regard to the issue of the privatisation of public enterprises, the lifting of subsidies, the suspension of recruitment and the revision of the wage bill as dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
UGTT has been working since the end of January on a new initiative, in collaboration with the National Bar Association, the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), and the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), to bring the country out of its economic and financial crisis.
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